Hawks Soar Ahead of Rebels; Hold on for 2^nd Straight Win!

      For the first time this season, the Hayfield Boys’ Basketball team has a winning streak. In the first three seasons under Coach Poindexter’s helm, Hayfield had always found a winning streak at some point. 3 years ago they won 11 straight, 2 years ago a 6 game run, and last year they rattled off another 11 game win streak before losing in the regional quarterfinals. This year however, the streak was elusive; until now. Mother nature provided a 8 day hiatus, which rejuvenated the Hawks to the tune of two straight wins over quality competition, and put them back in the hunt for a second straight Liberty Conference crown. If Hayfield can continue its roll to the conference championship, it will mark their 3^rd straight trip to the big game.

    Hayfield exerted it defensive presence for the first three quarters of this contest, holding Fairfax to 36 points, then had to weather a 29 point barrage  in the fourth quarter, from essentially two Rebels (McNaughton and Miller), who combined for 26 of the afore mentioned 29 total points. One of Hayfield’s main threats (Langston Gaither) also came alive in the 4^th, to help propel the Hawks to victory. Gaither (22pts, 7rebs, 3asts) had been held relatively in check for most of the night, before exploding for 11 fourth quarter points to pace the Hawks with 22! Gaither is on a roll now, averaging 19.3 pts/game over the past 6 games, with 5 of those games in double figures. His run has corresponded with Hayfield beginning to play together better, finding some team harmony, and winning 3 of the last 6 games.

   Gaither was joined in double figures by Hayfield two other scoring leaders: SG Brian Cobbs (14pts, 3rebs) who dropped in two of the Hawks season high 7 threes (Hawks have now converted a season high seven three pointers in 4 different games this year), while SF Aaron Jeter (12pts, 5rebs, 2asts, 1stl, 1blk) was his usual all-over-the-place self, whether inbounding the ball, bringing it up vs. the press, or rising high for an offensive rebound. Jeter has also become a three point threat, shooting 4 for 6 (67%) from downtown over the past three games, after hitting nary a one in the first 14 games of the season.

    One of Hayfield’s varsity rookies; Luke Jones, made a surprise start today, making the most of his opportunity. Jones (5pts, 3rebs, 3asts, 1stl) helped Hayfield jump out to an early 16-7 lead over the Rebels of Farifax HS, a lead which they never relinquished. Jones also swished one from deep, his first made three ball of 2016, and tallied 3 assists (including a “threading the needle” pass to a teammate slashing to the basket), to tie with two others for the game high. Later in the game, his close friend and teammate Jae’on Curetan (3pts, 3rebs, 3asts) made a big splash himself, during the decisive final 8 minutes. Curetan, who had only been used sparingly this season, showed no signs of rust, when he soared high over the much taller opponents to snare a much needed offensive rebound. Then on his way down, he somehow found Sr. C Corey McGhee (6pts, 1reb) for a significant two point field goal, which helped keep the surging Rebels at bay. Curetan also converted 75% (3-4) of his free throw attempts during the final frame, raising his season percentage to 62%.

    Other contributions included: SF Carrington Brox (4pts,4rebs,1ast) started for the second straight game, and amassed all of his stats in the first stanza, including a beautiful pin-down off of an offensive rebound, which resulted in an “an’ one”. SG Romaine Oakley (1pt, 1reb, 2asts, 1stl) came off the bench to convert a key free throw down the stretch, and made a vital steal during the Hawks press in the 1^st half. Fr. SF Michael Joiner played some key minutes down the stretch, and attempted his first varsity free throws, shooting 1-2 (50%). Jr. PF Cam Wilkerson (1ast) also made an appearance tonight, dishing one of the Hawks 15 assists (on 22 total field goals).

Pts. Scored By: Oakley (1), Cobbs (14), Douglas (dnp), Jeter (12), McGhee (6), Curetan (3), Jones (5), Wilkerson (0), Gaither (22), Brox (4), Wheeler (dnp), Mahmoud (dnp), Miles (dnp), Hamadouche (dnp), Joiner (1)